Supervision is: “a process in which one worker is given the responsibility by the organisation to work with another worker(s) in order to meet certain organisational, professional and personal objectives” (Morrison, 2001).
Professional supervision is a positive and enabling process that offers the opportunity to bring employee and supervisor together to reflect on work practice. It is the process by which a worker can review and evaluate their work through discussion, report and observation with another worker. Supervision aims to identify solutions to problems, improve practice and increase understanding of professional and clinical issues.
“Supervision is a process in which one worker is given responsibility to work with another worker(s) in order to meet certain or organisational, professional and personal activities. These objectives are competent, accountable performance, continuing professional development and personal support.” (Morrison 1993).
Supervision addresses the need to develop knowledge and skills and the need to be concerned with quality and governance. It addresses the need to ensure that professional standards are maintained and that policies and procedures of the organisation are adhered to. It also embraces the need for support for staff and is underpinned by learning from experience and reflective practice.
Theoretical aproches
Managers employ different supervision models and theories to maximize the productivity and efficiency of their work teams. No single theory or model is better than another - the best model for a particular workforce depends on a range of criteria.
Theory Y, by Douglas McGregor, suggests that employees naturally love to work, finding inherent satisfaction in their careers. The focus of supervision in Theory Y is the managers ' role as facilitator and teacher. Theory Y managers believe that all they have to do is provide a pleasant, healthy, engaging work environment